History

Over the past two hundred years the city of Iasi was very close linked to European music performances (just to remember here Franz Liszt's concerts in January 1847).

In Iasi, in 1860 the School of Music was inaugurated (that became in 1864 the Conservatory of Music and Drama Arts). In 1868 the first Philharmonic Society was created, but unfortunately it had a short life (its opening concert took place on January 14th, 1869). Only in 1918 was set up the George Enescu Philharmonic Society of Iasi, which performed music of Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven, Weber and Wagner.

After all these endeavors, on October 9th 1942 took place the inaugural concert of the Iasi State Philharmonic, having George Enescu as a conductor. Since then, the artistic activity of the Philharmonic has steadily increased its quality and diversity.

Professor Radu Constantines cu, together with other upholders of the new born institution, formed an ensemble prepared to perform a representative repertoire, leading soon to a distinctive interpretive style. So, during the first ten years of its activity, the ensemble performed more than 150 works. For the first time could be listened in Iasi symphonic works by Mozart, Brahms, Schubert, Schumann, R. Strauss, Debussy, Shostakovitch etc., concertos by Saint-Saëns, Glazunov, Rachmaninoff, Liszt, Ravel and Romanian music by Al. Zirra, A. Castaldi, M. Andricu, A. Stoia, A. Alessandrescu.

In the spring of 1953, an important event opened new perspectives in the artistic life of the Iasi Philharmonic: the foundation of the Choir that in the fall of the same year received the name of Gavriil Musicescu Choir of the Iasi State Philharmonic. Thus, for the first time, it was possible to perform in Iasi the 9th Symphony by Beethoven (June 4th, 1954), the Requiem by Mozart (May 27, 1955), The Seasons Oratorio by Haydn (April 26, 1957), Verdi’s Requiem (February 17, 1961) and Carmina burana by Carl Orff (January 19, 1962). This important repertoire was added to more than 100 new title of the vocal-symphonic genre, as well as to an impressive a cappella repertoire.

The second important event in the history of the Iasi Phiharmonic, after the foundation of the Choir, took place in 1962, when the young musician Ion Baciu came to Iasi as the resident conductor of the Symphonic Orchestra. In a very short time, he became a stately figure of Iasi musical life. Ion Baciu started to form the famous “Super-Orchestra", giving more vigour to the ensemble by renewing it with students from the Conservatory. Moreover, as he could notice some special features of the instrumental school in Iasi – such as the special sound of the strings – Ion Baciu created over the ’70, what Maestro Emanuel Elenescu called “a symphonic team" and the musicologist Iosif Sava – “Baciu’s Stradivarius".

During this period, the repertoire no longer impressed in the number of works, but through their quality of performance. The conductor preferred Enescu’s music, towards which he showed special sensibility. For the first time in Iasi the Dixtuor for winds and especially The 3rd Symphony with chorus (April 10, 1964) were performed. Other important first auditions: Le Sacre du printemps by Stravinsky (October 1962), works by Bartók, Skriabin, Debussy, Ravel, Stefan Niculescu, Aurel Stroe, Dumitru Capoianu, Pascal Bentoiu etc.

A major event during Ion Baciu’s period took place in 1975 (in Iasi) and in 1981 (in Bucharest), as the Oedip was performed, on the occasion of the George Enescu’s birth centenary. Maestro Ion Baciu proved outstanding qualities not only as a conductor and a composer, but even as producer and stage director as well. He created a very interesting and much appreciated concert version of Enescu’s masterpiece Oedip.

After 1970, the Orchestra became well-known throughout the country and soon enough also abroad. From 1971, the ensemble performed tours every year, coming in contact with a new and diverse repertoire, allowing to adapt to any musical style or genre.

After 1975, the Iasi Philharmonic became an appreciated artistical appearance not only in the Romanian concert halls – especially in Bucharest – but also abroad: Beethovensaal in Bonn, the Antique Theatre of Macerata (Italy), Meistersingersaal in Nürnberg, Concertgebouw in Amsterdam, Edvard Grieg Concert Hall in Bergen (Norway), Salle Gaveau in Paris, Gasteig in Munich, De Doolen in Rotterdam, etc. Also in New York, Washington, Chicago, San Francisco, Boston and Los Angeles, in Vancouver, Edmonton, Ottawa, Toronto, Montreal.

Since 1990, the Symphonic Orchestra of the Iasi Philharmonic is invited every year to perform at the International Contest Grand Prix Maria Callas in Athens. This success came as a result of so many hours of rehearsal with Maestro Ion Baciu. After more than 25 years, the musicians of Iasi are now appreciated for their professionalism, exigency, discipline and, last but not least, for their inexhaustible enthusiasm.

Apart from the concert performances, the ensembles of the Iasi Philharmonic – the Symphonic Orchestra and the Gavriil Musicescu Choir - execute also many recordings on CD, at radio or TV, with all kinds of music genres.

In 1998, another important event took place: the Council of the Iasi County alloted the amount to acquiring a Steinway Grand piano from Hamburg.

In 1986, the conductor Ion Baciu left Iasi, being followed by Gheorghe Costin. Between 1995-2001, besides Gheorghe Costin, also the young and talented Camil Marinescu was resident conductor of Iasi Philharmonic. In 1998, Alexandru Lascae, a remarkable musician and experienced violinist, concert maestro in Hague Philharmonic (the Netherlands), joined the Iasi Philharmonic.

Alexandru Lascae is at present the resident conductor of Iasi Philharmonic.

Famous conductors and soloists who collaborated with Iasi Philharmonic

Maestro George Enescu was the first conductor of the Symphonic Orchestra of the Iasi Philharmonic. He conducted the inaugural concert on October 9th, 1942.
Since then, the musicians of the Iasi Philharmonic had the chance to meet and collaborate with a lot of famous artists, as follows:

Conductors
Horia Andreescu, Ion Baciu, Marco Balderi, Serge Baudo, Roberto Benzi, Erich Bergel, Frédéric Chaslin, Antonin Ciolan, Sergiu Comissiona, Renard Czaikovski, Emanuel Elenescu, Lawrence Foster, George Georgescu, Valeri Gergief, Olivier Grangean, Michael Hofstetter, Samo Hubad, Mihail Jora, Vakhtang Jordania, Cristian Mandeal, Paul Nadler, Oskar Nedbal, Vaclav Neumann, Ionel Perlea, Theodor Rogalski, Eduard Serov, Constantin Silvestri, Adrian Sunshine, Felix Weingartner etc.

Soloists
Alexandru Agache, Radu Aldulescu, Lucia Aliberti, Dmitri Bashkirov, Jose Carreras, Li Min Cean, Aldo Ciccolini, Leontina Ciobanu-Vaduva, Viorica Cortez, Halyna Czerny-Stefanska, Nikolai Demidenko, Philippe Entremont, Viktor Eresko, Valentin Gheorghiu, Yvry Gitlis, Dan Grigore, Massimo La Guardia, Nicolae Herlea, Grigori Jislin, Rudolf Kerer, Wolfgang Laufer, Mihaela Martin, Elena Mosuc, Mariana Nicolesco, David Ohanesian, Vladimir Orlov, Emilia Petrescu, Sviatoslav Richter, Kiril Rodin, Mstislav Rostropovici, Stefan Ruha, Daniil Shafran, Eugen Sarbu, Dimitri Sgouros, Viktor Tretiakov, Ion Voicu, Frank Peter Zimmermann.

The "MOLDOVA" State Philharmonic from Iasi - Romania - At present

Filarmonica de Stat „Moldova” Iasi is a professional musical institution, with permanent activity. It is financial supported by the Romanian Ministry of Culture and Creeds and by the Council of Iasi County.

The Staff:

• Bujor Prelipcean – General Director
  First Violinist of Voces String Quartet
• Adrian Anania –Artistic Director

Artistic management and international relations:

• Carmen Chelaru
• Anca Ciobanu

Corneliu Sipoteanu – Intendant
Dana Apostu – Chief Accountant
Dumitru Popa – Solicitor

Artistic ensembles:

I. The Symphonic Orchestra (105 musicians)
Alexandru Lascae – resident conductor
Concert maestros:
Marcian David
Adrian Berescu
Gheorghe Margineanu

II. The Academic Choir Gavriil Musicescu (70 singers)
Doru Morariu – choir conductor
Piano accompanist: Ivonne Piedemonte

III. Ad libitum String Quartet:
Adrian Berescu – violin I
Serban Mereuta – violin II
Bogdan Bisoc – viola
Filip Papa – cello

Tours abroad

1970 – West Germany – Tubingen, Stuttgart, Frankfurt am Main, etc.
1971 – West Germany – Tubingen, Stuttgart, Freiburg, etc.
1972 – West Germany – Freiburg, Bonn (Beethovensaal), Nurnberg (Meistersingersaal)
           Switzerland – Basel
1973 – West Germany – Bayreuth
1974 – West Germany
           The Netherlands
           Belgium – Bruxelles
1975 – West Germany – Bayreuth
           Chekoslovakia
1976 – West Germany – Bayreuth
           France –Annecy International Festival
1977 – Italy – Siracusa, Messina, Lucca, Bari, San Marino, etc.
           West Germany – Bayreuth
1978 – Bulgary – Russe (March Musical Days)
           USA – New York, Washington, Denver-Colorado, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago, Knoxville and Maryville (Tennessee), Pittsburg (Kansas), Saint Luis, Boston, Oklahoma, etc. Canada – Vancouver, Edmonton, Ottawa, Toronto, Montreal, etc.
1979 – Austria
           The Netherlands
1980 – Italy
1981 – Sweden – Stockholm
           Norway – Bergen (Edvard Grieg Concert Hall), Oslo
           Denmark – Copenhaga
           West Germany
1982 – Bulgary – Russe
           Italy
           France – Festivals in Aix-en-Provence and Beziers
1983 – Italy – Milan, Rome, Florence
1984 – Italy – Macerata
1985 – Italy – Milan, Torino (RAI), Gorizia, Rimini, Macerata
1986 – Bulgary – Russe, Razgrad
Italy – Macerata
           France – Poitiers, Le Mans, Paris (Salle Gaveau), etc.
1987, 1988, 1989 – Italy – Macerata
1990 – (March) Greece – Athens (Grand Prix Maria Callas)
           (Aug.) Italy – Macerata
           (Oct.) France
1991 – (Apr.) Chisinau – R. Moldova (choir)
           (Jul.) Italy
           (Nov.-Dec.) Spain – Madrid (Auditorio Nacional de Musica), Bilbao, Santander,            Santiago  de Compostella, Albacete, Alicante, Logrono, Granollers,
1992 – (March) Greece – Athens (Grand Prix Maria Callas)
           (Jul-Aug) Italy – Macerata
           (Sept) Italy – Santa Marguerita, Varazze
           (Sept) Spain – Oviedo, Fraga, Calatayud, Figueras
           (Nov.) France (chamber orchestra)
1993 – (March) France (chamber orchestra)
           (Jul.-Aug.) Italy (choir, orchestra) – Borgomanero, Verbania, Varazze, Vogherra, San
           Giuliano Terme, Vasto, Vieste, Mercoliano, Diano Castello
           (Aug.) France (chamber orchestra)
1994 – (March) Greece – Athens (Grand Prix Maria Callas)
           (Jul.-Aug.) Italy – (choir, orchestra) Feltre, Vasto, Terano, Trani, Caserta, Savona
1995 – (Febr.) Greece – Athens (Grand Prix Maria Callas)
           (March) Germany, Austria
           (May) Poland (choir) – Czestochowa (Gaude Mater Festival)
           (Jul.) Italy (choir, orchestra)
           (Oct.) The Netherlands (choir, orchestra) Groningen, Amsterdam, Gouda, Haga,            Arnherm,   Haarlem
1996 - (Dec.-Jan) Germany
           (Jan.) Switzerland – Zurich, Basel
           (Febr.) Switzerland – Zurich, Berna
           (March) Switzerland
           (March) Greece – Athens (Grand Prix Maria Callas)
           (May) Switzerland – Zurich
           (Jun.) Switzerland – Zurich
           (Jul.) Switzerland – Zurich
           (Sept.-Oct.) Germany
           (Dec.-Jan.1997) – Germany – Berlin, Frankfurt-am-Oder, Rostock,
           Bielefeld, Melle, Delmenhorst
1997 - (March) Greece – Athens (Grand Prix Maria Callas)
           (April) Germany (chamber orchestra)
           (Oct.) Germany
           (Dec.) Germany
           (Dec-Jan. 1998) Germany
1998 - (Febr.) Greece – Athens (Grand Prix Maria Callas)
           (March) Germany – Mullheim, Trossingen, Villingen, Bad Homburg, Russelsheim, Hameln,   Ludenscheid
           (May) Germany
           (Sept.-Oct.) Germany
           (Oct) Germany – Tubingen, Balingen
           (Dec-Jan.1999) Italy (choir, orchestra) – Ascoli Piceno, Fabriana, Vercelli, Sondalo,
           Messina, Sicilia, Marsala, Noto, Taranto, Bastia, Perugia, Concordia, Verbania
           (Dec-Jan.1999) Germany – Dresden, Berlin, Meinerzhagen, Delmenhorst, Helmstedt,
1999 - (Jan) Italy (chamber orchestra) – Brescia, Sulmona, Pescara, Campobasso, Lecce,
           Cosenza, Lamezia Terme, Messina, Palmi
           (Febr) Greece – Athens (Grand Prix Maria Callas)
           (Aug-Sept) Italy, Spain
           (Nov-Dec) The Netherlands – Amsterdam, Haga
           (Dec-Jan 2000) Spain (choir, orchestra) – Madrid, Murcia, Cordoba
           (Dec-Jan.2000) Germany
2000 - (March-April) - Greece – Athens (Grand Prix Maria Callas)
           (Oct-Nov) The Netherlands
           (Nov) Germany
           (Dec-Jan.2001) Germany
2001 - (March) Greece – Athens (Grand Prix Maria Callas), Volos, Larissa
           (Oct-Nov) The Netherlands (choir, orchestra) – Amsterdam, Haga, Eindhoven, Utrecht, Rotterdam, Breda, Assen, Bergen, Hasselt, Leystaat
           (Nov) Germany – Uelzen, Stade, Bad Pyrmont, Bad Mundr, Meinerzhagen, Diepholz
           (Dec) Germany (choir,orchestra) – Stuttgart, Mannheim, Frankfurt-am-Main (Alte Oper),    Baden- Baden, Landberg am Lech, Kulmbach, Leipzig (Gewandhaus).
           (Dec-Jan.2002) Germany – Berlin, Eschwege, Bremen, Stade, Melle, Meinerzhagen,
           Iserlohn, Helmstedt, Uelzen, Bad Pyrmont, Bad Munder
2002 - (March) Greece – Athens (Grand Prix Maria Callas)
           (Sept) – Germany
           (Oct) – Holland
           (Nov) – Germany
           (Dec-Jan 2003) – Germany
2003 - (March) - Athens (Grand Prix Maria Callas)
           (Oct-Nov) – Holland
           (Dec) – Holland
           (Dec-Jan 2004) – Germany
2004 - (Febr) South Korea
           (March) - Athens (Grand Prix Maria Callas)
           (Oct.) – Holland

Press excerpts

May the Iasi Philharmonic live for ages and accomplish its marvellous mission that it was tasked with.

George Enescu, Iasi, 1943

I had a special pleasure to see an orchestra of such a calibre in the city in which did not exist even five Gipsies who meet and play each Thursday evening. For me there was an absolute revelation !...
Therefore, the great present you did to me is the fact itself that this orchestra exists and does what it does. Whether you would be more successful somewhere than elsewhere – this is absolutely normal ! But this is an orchestra which may appear abroad ! It is an unprecedent achievement for my city !

Sergiu Celibidache, Munich, 9 March 1995

I very much enjoyed meeting this orchestra. Each musician is full of enthousiasm. This quality gives the orchestra freshness and youthfulness. I wish them every great success.

Mstislav Rostropovich, Iasi 1950

"An atmosphere such an only the orchestras of high repute are capable of meeting. The worke peerformed have been truly magnificent."

Lawrence Foster

"Gems of the Balcans..."

Bonner Rundschau, 1976

"Briljant rumensk orkester"

Aften posten- Bergen, Norvege, 1981

"The "Moldova" Philharmonic of Iasi is undoubtedly a supple very well balanced orchestra, whose instrumentalists have reeached a level to be envied."

Dunavska Pravda, Bulgarie, 1982

"Orchestre National de Roumanie - Magnificence et fougue."

Le Maine Libre - Le Mans, France, 1986

"The Iasi Philharmonic took Edmonton by surprise Monday night and devastated the Convocation Hall audience. ...They provided a concert of "Programme music" that blended fire and brimstone magnificently with tender drops of rain."

Entertainment Journal, Edmonton Canada, 1978

"Une remarquable prestation enthousiasmant les plus difficiles auditeurs... Quel coloris de finesse, de grandeur, de puissance, de rithme irrésistible, interprété avec une sensibilité incomparable par les éminents membres de cette phalange digne des plus grandes formations internationales."

Poitiers, France, 1986

"J'aimerais exprimer toute mon admiration pour les réalisations merveilleuses de l'Orchestre Philharmonique "Moldova" de Iasi et pour ses jeunes musiciens qui sont admirablement préparés pour leur carriere et qui interpretent avec un enthousiasme contagieux."

Pierre Colombo, chef d’orchestre, Iasi, 1970

"Maintenant, a la fin du cycle "Beethoven", j'aimerais dédier une "Ode a la Joie" a l'Orchestre Philharmonique de Iasi en signe de gratitude pour leur merveilleuse coopération. Je souhaite que ce groupe artistique exceptionel puisse traverser le temps avec la meme joie pour la musique et avec le meme enthousiasme et haut professionalisme."

Cristian Mandeal, conductor
Iasi, 1989

"It has been a great honor and a extraordinary experience to work with Iasi Philharmonic in the performance and recording of my composition Remembrance of a People, 19-20 June 2000. This orchestra is amazing - its musicians play with a total commitment, a beautiful sound, and a wonderful musicality. They have showed me beauty and meaning in my music that I had previously only hoped was there. I am deeply grateful for this special and memorable experince."

Mr.Jonathan D. Kramer, Composer and Professor of Music at Columbia University
Iasi, 20 June 2000

"Once again, it is a pleasure, endeed an honour, to conduct the wonderful Iasi Philharmonic. The beauty of sound, palette of colors, and response of the orchestra is superb; also, the joy of music making and dedication is very rare in the world of music today. A look forward to making music with such an orchestra, our collaboration has been a total joy."

Paul Nadler, conductor
Iasi, 20 June 2000

"It has been an extraordinarly remanding and above all, inspiring, experience to have played with the Iasi Philharmonic. In a world where many musicians are concerned only with their time (and not to mention a focus on some interests which have little to do with music-making), these musicians gave 100% of their souls and hearts to the music. I will carry this impression with me wherever I am, and whenever I perform or teach. Thank you !"

Deborah Bradley, Director of Music Performance at Columbia University
Iasi, 20 June 2000

"Veramente è stata una bellissima esperienza. Ho apprezzato fin dalla prima prova, l'alta qualità artistica di ogni componente dell'orchestra e il senso d'assieme delle varie famiglie di strumenti, la proprietà di fraseggio, l'aderenza allo stile proposto, l'intonazione perfetta e il rispetto delle dinamiche verdiane…
… hanno prodotto uno spettacolo di altissimo livello, davvero si poteva immaginare di ascoltarlo nelle Halls più importanti del mondo."

Marco Balderi, conductor
Iasi, October 18, 2001

“A Messiah full of contrasts.
The Orchestra played soberly and very rhythmically, but at the same time, enriched with romantic nuances, the improvisations reaching real cadences. It was a performance for which all means were allowed for the unique purpose of making music to live the true value. Indeed it was a cellebration."

Marijolijn Sengers "Eindhoven Courant", Holland,
November 8, 2001

“Prelonged aplause wellcomed the high artistic level performance, conducted with much sensitivity and with precision by Maestro Ulrich Weder."

Manola Romalo
"România Libera", 8 ianuarie 2002

“The Iasi Philharmonic ranks without doubt with the elite of the Romanian orchestras, a place which was earned through the value of the artistic act, proved both in Romania and abroad. I know well enough this symphonic team to confirm, without reserve, that it is to be found at the same technical and interpretive level as the one of the great orchestras from Bucharest: The National Radio Orchestra and George Enescu Philharmonic."

Paul Popescu, conductor
Iasi, 1997

“The Iasi Philharmonic sought inspiration everywhere, yet found it especially in a pure refinement. The orchestra, the soloists, the choir formed a whole of a high artistical level."

Monique Meeuwisse - "De Stem", Bergen op Zoom, Holland
November 5, 2001

Le formidable programme musical de la Philharmonie de Iasi (Roumanie)…

Zurich, Juillet 1996

Mit Bewunderung habe ich die Ausgeglichenheit Ihres Orchesterklanges gehoert, der bei der Begleitung von Mme. Aliberti ein warmes Volumen verstroemte, nie dabei pastos oder aufdringlich wirkte, sondern eine schoene Farbgebung zwischen Blasern und Streichern erreichte.

Roland Eckert, Stuttgart,
Dezember 2001

It has been really a great experience to have the joy and pleasure to perform with this wonderful orchestra and meet these wonderful Iasi people. Hoping to come back, with my love.

Dimitrios Sgouros, pianist
Iasi, October 1998